A NATURAL MYSTERY
by KATE BALDWIN
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I dropped a freshly dead Indian Meal Moth from store of bird seed into the web of this female Argiope spider. She ran right over and wrapped it up. Feeding orb weavers is a pretty easy way to watch a spider in action, particularly if you find yourself with a freshly dead insect. You should give it a try!
Wolf spider with her dozens of babies on her back. The spiderlings spend about 2 weeks tightly gripped on the hairs on mom’s back. During this time they are still living off of their internal yolk sacs and don’t eat external food at all. But mom keeps them safe by avoiding danger. What a good mom!
We've had a firefly bonanza this year! It's great!![]()
These beauties are only flying adults for a couple weeks. Before that, they spend a couple years living the soil as armor-plated larvae eating little slugs, snails, and worms.![]()
They thrive best in moist soil, so the wet last couple years have really helped them, along with the mild winter. Another huge factor is that we don't treat our lawn with pesticides. And now we get to reap the rewards!
A dark fishing spider on my shed. This is Wisconsin’s largest spider species. They can walk on water, but also like living in abandoned sheds. Formidible predators, but harmless to people!
Wisconsin: It's that time of year again!![]()
Vote in the annual WI DNR survey: dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/wcc/springhearing![]()
Vote to require the use of readily available lead alternatives in ammunition and tackle! (and other issues as well, like PFAS, size of leg traps, amplified wake boats, etc.)![]()
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You can fill out the survey Monday night thru Wednesday afternoon.![]()
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Personally, I have been going through the survey question by question like I do every year, and here is how I plan to answer: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dnvAxW3e-5ZxoDms0qXjRfg-Oh4bdrP31a1QRcffgaA/edit?usp=sharing![]()
The attached photo is an illustration from my book, showing an eagle with lead poisoning from eating a deer carcass containing lead fragments.
